Tom Cullerton-sponsored gang prevention law signed

A bill sponsored by State Sen. Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is intended to protect children from weapons and gang violence at schools.
File photo by Matt Piechalak – mpiechalak@shawmedia.com

SPRINGFIELD – A new program changing the circumstances under which incidents of weapon possession and gang activity in schools are reported to local police agencies was signed into law Monday in Springfield. The bill was sponsored by State Sen. Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park).

This program requires school officials to report any incidents involving weapons or gang violence to local police agencies. Before this law was passed, schools were only required to inform the police if the safety of students and teachers was threatened by illegal drugs and alcohol.

"We cannot ignore signs of gang activity in our schools," Cullerton said in a news release. "We must do everything possible to keep the influences of gangs away from children, especially while at school."